Back in 79 when I bought the "flamed 396" car, I also bought the blue SS. In 85' I bought the yellow car. Interior shot is yellow car. I was 18 when pic taken. Dented door was as I bought car. I still have all 3. Just wanted to share pics and wish all a Merry Christmas!Oops! Will have to get more Yellow car pics later, file size was too big to post.

So by 79 besides the dent, they had already swapped out the drivers door mirror? :-\Seems funny to get a new camaro now, look at the whole car and think "I gotta get rid of that mirror!" What were they thinking back then guys? I mean was it that hard to go to a chevy dealer and have him grab one off the shelf or order one? I see funky antennas, mirrors, guys swapping out seats, and makes me wish I could of slapped those guys up side the head sometimes. Think of all the motor swaps that led to a real 67, 68, or 69 Z/28 turning into a orphan.... tragic!!!

So by 79 besides the dent, they had already swapped out the drivers door mirror? :-\Seems funny to get a new camaro now, look at the whole car and think "I gotta get rid of that mirror!" What were they thinking back then guys? I mean was it that hard to go to a chevy dealer and have him grab one off the shelf or order one? I see funky antennas, mirrors, guys swapping out seats, and makes me wish I could of slapped those guys up side the head sometimes. Think of all the motor swaps that led to a real 67, 68, or 69 Z/28 turning into a orphan.... tragic!!!

I think that is why these (Ist Gen) are such a challenge to restore and why this site exists. When explaining my restoration to a non-car person, I tell them that early Camaros are probably one of the most modified cars you will find. I maintain a couple of antique car collections for elderly friends. They don't understand why a component would be missing especially so many components. Some of their old cars still have the original air in the tires (I joke) because the type cars they own, where not messed with. So when you buy a car like the ones I maintain for those guys, you usually find them just as they came with manuals and all.

The "bullet mirror" change out was very popular along with "Grant GT" steering wheels, "slot mags" or "Krager SS" rims, door and rear deck speakers, diamond tuck interior, "Hurst" shifters,"Gabrial Hi-Jackers", "Hooker Headers", "Moroso" chrome for under the hood and removing anything attached to the motor not needed for power. All added"improvements" for cruising town. Unfortunately a lot of the original parts went straight to the trash. Oh did I mention if you could afford paint and body work, adding rear fender flairs and removing those "hideous" factory stripes was a plus. And don't forget the "Isky" cam and "Holley" carb that came with endless adjustments and power valve changes.

The "bullet mirror" change out was very popular along with "Grant GT" steering wheels, "slot mags" or "Krager SS" rims, door and rear deck speakers, diamond tuck interior, "Hurst" shifters,"Gabrial Hi-Jackers", "Hooker Headers", "Moroso" chrome for under the hood and removing anything attached to the motor not needed for power. All added"improvements" for cruising town. Unfortunately a lot of the original parts went straight to the trash. Oh did I mention if you could afford paint and body work, adding rear fender flairs and removing those "hideous" factory stripes was a plus. And don't forget the "Isky" cam and "Holley" carb that came with endless adjustments and power valve changes.

I agree, my 68 SSRS 396 had the slotted mags and the 2ng gen bullet mirrors on it when I bought in in 02/'80. On top of that, I was one of those idiots removing most anything that didnt make it quicker in 1/4 mile.

Maybe kinda tough to see, but I put '70 mirrors (R&L, driver remote) on my '69 in '75. Other mods (which fortunately for the car never happened) were planned aftermarket "T" tops (the rage in mid '70's, mfg. by Hurst and others), custom grille with square headlights, black paint with gold highlights/panels; I did install an in-dash AM/FM CB, plus a column mount Sun Super tach. Removed the console, installed a Mr. Gasket Pro Shifter, recarpeted with fuzzy shag black carpet. I was proud of it, still am considering I should be shot for what I did to it, or for what I wanted to do to it - at least most of the car made it this far fairly intact.

In 1979/80, I learned what the X77 stood for on the cowl tag, so mods ceased and recovery began - still at it all these years later.

I commend your honesty...Who else would admit to almost making huge mods to make the car into something custom that would have killed the value and appeal years later?Thank goodness money and time were not on your side back then and that good taste rose to the top over the years

When I traded my '68 Z28 for the '69 Z28 in 1976, the '69 had 'slotted Ansens' on it... so after we began to deal on a trade, I asked him if he 'liked' the Ansens'.. He did.. so I suggested trading the '68 Z wheels to the '69, and the Ansens to the '68... then he tells me.. 'Oh, I have the original rallye wheels for the car in the garage.. I ended up with both '68 and '69 sets of Rallyes (the '69's all dated the same, and obviously original to the car).. ... Later, after he sold the '68 Z28, and the young fella who bought it contacted me.. I gave him the '68 Rallyes, since he was interested in originality. This was only a year or so later..

You "gave" him the wheels back in 77. I heard of guys being nice, I don't think I have heard of guys giving parts away. Are you giving any other original parts away, I mean it is christmas time ya know...

Don't forget the cars weren't that old back then. I saw tons more muscle cars with Cragers vs. OE. Only reason mine are still around is they were used for winter storage back in the day. When I got the car it was just cheaper to put them back on with new tires. Plus they cleared the 4piston calipers without the use of spacers. I liked them-not so popular 25 years ago---I think "grocery getter" might have been the term. As Gary pointed out ,gauges were inferior from the factory ,so disappeared they did over the years. And my father was one of many who converted to a higher amp ,internally regulated alternator. Single wire, clean installation. I was just very lucky all the parts were kept. Between moves ,a few things got loss ,but relatively minor all things considered.

Sort of ties in, very excited about the Day 2 class in Chicago. Spoke to a fellow by the name of Dru who is sending me the points breakdown sheets. Honestly ,if not for this class ,probably would have continued to keep the car under wraps. Happy Holidays !